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Excitation Current Test On Power Transformers

The excitation current test is a useful diagnostic tool for power transformers that can detect problems related to the core or windings. The test involves applying voltage to the primary winding with the secondary winding open to measure the magnetization current. An HLH or LHL current pattern between phases typically indicates normal operation, while significant deviations may point to issues like shorted laminations or turn-to-turn faults. Combined with other electrical tests, the excitation current test helps identify and locate faults within the transformer.

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1K views

Excitation Current Test On Power Transformers

The excitation current test is a useful diagnostic tool for power transformers that can detect problems related to the core or windings. The test involves applying voltage to the primary winding with the secondary winding open to measure the magnetization current. An HLH or LHL current pattern between phases typically indicates normal operation, while significant deviations may point to issues like shorted laminations or turn-to-turn faults. Combined with other electrical tests, the excitation current test helps identify and locate faults within the transformer.

Uploaded by

raza239
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Excitation Current Test on Power

Transformers
Testing & maintenance engineer for power transformers & substation components

Transformer excitation current test is usually considered as a useful diagnostic tool


that can be performed often with the same equipment that can perform power
factor or dissipation factor test.

This test is relatively simple one and the main idea is to manipulate the transformer
under test into the state of no-load condition ( open circuit) , clearly meaning
injecting voltage into the primary winding while the secondary winding and the
tertiary if applicable are left floating , thus the magnetization current can be
measured and any distortion may be observed. For comparison purposes ,10KV
applied voltage had been standardized as the excitation current measured values
are voltage-dependent.

The test is conducted by applying voltage to one end of the primary winding and
connecting the other end with the lv lead of the PF / DF test set in the UST mod and
this will be the same for each different phase of the winding. 
The test connection methods are usually provided with the test equipment manual
as similar to the next figures and it should be noted that if the secondary winding is
a star-connected winding , its neutral is left grounded as in normal service. Also this
test should not be performed after DC winding resistance measurements and it
usually a good practice to put DC-WRM as the last test on the testing schedule ,
otherwise demagnetization of the core is required to avoid any misleading results
due to residual magnetism. 

Interpretation of this test is usually done by analyzing the patterns of the measured
values of excitation current on each phase.As 3-leg core type transformers are the
most popular , High –Low – High (HLH) pattern is the expected pattern but will
reverse into Low-High-Low (LHL) pattern in case of the primary is delta- connected
winding and the third terminal of the primary delta-connected winding is not
grounded. HLH pattern is also expected for shell type or 5-leg core type
transformers if they have a delta connected secondary winding , if not the expected
pattern should be of “ all similar” pattern. 

This test is sensitive to detect problems related to the core ( as shorted laminations)
as well as to the windings , such as turn to turn faults. The two outer phases should
have similar values within 5% while the middle phase can differ up to 30 %.
Normally if a fault is existed that means higher current will be drawn due to the
opposing flux created by the fault. More investigations are usually required when
the results are not met the expected patterns and depending on the extent of pattern
distortion , collecting more information will help by performing more electrical-
based tests for a better diagnosis to be reached ,by classical tests such as TTR and
DC-WR and particularly SFRA will be useful when a fingerprint test result is
available , so at low and mid frequencies such problems  related the core and
windings respectively can be observed .

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